Bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in artificially contaminated soil / Nor Amani Filzah Mohd Kamil

Land used for industrial facilities or for waste disposal can be contaminated. Redevelopment of contaminated land often requires unacceptable risks are assessed and managed so that the site becomes suitable for its new use. One of the major criteria to be satisfied before such land can be reused is to ensure that remediation is carried out to remove all health hazards. One of the treatment methods that can be adopted involves bioremediation processes. Bioremediation process is considered to be environmentally sound and economically feasible. Other process, namely, physical and chemical processes require high energy, high costs and produce secondary contaminants that are more toxic if not completely degraded. This study is carried out to provide a better understanding on application of potential bacteria under non-indigenous condition, i.e., isolate from sludge and inoculate into contaminated soil. Many studies were conducted under indigenous and semi-indigenous condition. However, there are limited reports on studies under non-indiginous condition, particularly under aerobic condition. This study is also conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of potential bacteria and to established a mathematical model for PAHs biodegradation. The organic contaminants focus in this study is Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and sand was selected as the soil media. PAHs are one of the most widespread organic contaminants and known to be highly toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic. The objectives of this study are (i) a) establishment study parameters through characterization, (ii) biodegradation of PAHs, (iii) evaluation on effectiveness of PAHs biodegradation and (iv) model development. The methodology of this study consisted of four stages. The first stage involves determining the type of micropollutant that are present in the soil through characterization of soil taken from the Kubang Badak landfill. The second stage involves three phases of experimental works, namely, growth curve based on turbidity, biodegradation and survival of the strains in contaminated sand. The third stage involves five experimental works based on different factors, i.e., pH, temperature, phenanthrene concentration, bacteria number and heavy metals concentration. The final stage is to establish the kinetic parameter and the mathematical model for the biodegradation process. Results from stage 1 showed that phenanthrene is the most abundant PAHs in the soil samples, followed by anthracene. For heavy metals, zinc showed the highest mean concentration in the soil samples. Based on results in stage 2, a bacterial strain, namely, Corynebacterium uroalyticum isolated from municipal sludge shows the most potential as PAHs degrader. The evaluation of most potential strain is based on four factors, namely, day of inoculation, degradation rate, bacteria survival and degradation rate per colony. Results in stage 3 showed that the optimum condition occurred at pH 7, temperature of 30°C, initial phenanthrene concentration of 500 mg/kg, bacteria number of 109 cfu/g soil and samples without the addition of heavy metals. The final stage involve development of a mathematical model based on Monod kinetic. Kinetic parameters, qmax,X and Ks- qmax and Ks were observed to increase when the initial phenanthrene concentration increases. The Monod equation modified by Lawrence and McCarty (1970) was further enhanced in this study. As conclusion, understanding on application of potential PAHs degrading bacteria under nonindigenous condition has been evaluated in this study

Bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in artificially contaminated soil / Nor Amani Filzah Mohd Kamil

Land used for industrial facilities or for waste disposal can be contaminated. Redevelopment of contaminated land often requires unacceptable risks are assessed and managed so that the site becomes suitable for its new use. One of the major criteria to be satisfied before such land can be reused is to ensure that remediation is carried out to remove all health hazards. One of the treatment methods that can be adopted involves bioremediation processes. Bioremediation process is considered to be environmentally sound and economically feasible. Other process, namely, physical and chemical processes require high energy, high costs and produce secondary contaminants that are more toxic if not completely degraded. This study is carried out to provide a better understanding on application of potential bacteria under non-indigenous condition, i.e., isolate from sludge and inoculate into contaminated soil. Many studies were conducted under indigenous and semi-indigenous condition. However, there are limited reports on studies under non-indiginous condition, particularly under aerobic condition. This study is also conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of potential bacteria and to established a mathematical model for PAHs biodegradation. The organic contaminants focus in this study is Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and sand was selected as the soil media. PAHs are one of the most widespread organic contaminants and known to be highly toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic. The objectives of this study are (i) a) establishment study parameters through characterization, (ii) biodegradation of PAHs, (iii) evaluation on effectiveness of PAHs biodegradation and (iv) model development

Selection of Suitable Binder in Solidification/Stabilization (S/S) Method: A Review

One of the treatment that is gaining prominence to treat a variety of mixed organic and inorganic waste is solidification/stabilization (S/S) method. This treatment protects human health and the environment by immobilizing contaminants within the treated matrices and prevents migration of the contaminants. Thus, this chapter aims to recognize potential binders and others characteristic with satisfactory results besides reducing the remediation cost. This review will assist researchers in choosing suitable binders that are capable to improve the quality of treatment as well as contributing towards a sustainability remediation method. One of the criteria for a good binder is the pozzolan effect which can be determined based on chemical composition. Consequently, the present work recommended that if other materials have similar chemical composition with common binder, these materials may be suitable to use as binder in S/S method

Evaluation of fluoride concentration in water filter system for households

Drinking water that has good quality is important to sustain human life. If the sources of the drinking water have been contaminated by pollutants, it can give harmful effects to human. Besides of pollutants, good quality of drinking water should have optimum concentration of minerals and one of necessary minerals is fluoride. However, fluoride concentration is less emphasized in factor of purchasing the water filter system. In addition, Malaysians are not aware of the importance of optimum fluoride concentration in their drinking. Water filter system is installed to obtain the good quality of drinking water and needs the maintenance services to ensure the quality of drinking water accomplishes a constant protection. However, the performance of maintenance service is never being measured. Therefore, this study was conducted to measure the fluoride concentration in drinking water for household and evaluate the performance of maintenance service in water filter system. Two residential areas in Johor were involved in data collection. Fluoride concentrations at influent of water filter system were in range of 2.41 mg/L to 3.84 mg/L which were above the permissible limit except for USEPA standard. Concentrations at effluent for before maintenance service were reduced, in range of 0.89 mg/L to 1.28 mg/L, and thus water filter system is necessary to install in Malaysian household. However, very low concentrations were detected after maintenance service, in range of 0.08 mg/L and 0.12 mg/L, and thus the maintenance service needs to be revised to obtain the optimum fluoride concentration

The Measurement of PM10 and PM2.5 Concentration for Outdoor and Indoor Surrounding Industrial Area

The industrial area located adjacent to UTHM main campus releases air pollutants to the surrounding area.  In addition, high complaints were received from UTHM's residents and surrounding area due to air pollution from the industrial area.  The main objective of this study is to measures PM10 and PM2.5 concentration for indoor and outdoor building in UTHM main campus and surrounding industrial area in Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor.  Air sampling was conducted to determine the indoor and outdoor concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5.  The highest concentration (40.8 ug/m3 and  29.1 ug/m3 for PM10 and PM2.5 respectively) was at Tun Dr Ismail Residential College for outdoor concentration.  Whereas, Bestari Residential College shows the lowest concentration (14.2 ug/m3 and 10 ug/m3 for PM10 and PM2.5 respectively).  Results from this study found that outdoor air pollution did not affect the indoor air pollution.  For further improvement, the number of sampling stations need to be increased especially high rise buildings in UTHM main campus

Potential of the Bioaugmentation Method to Enhance the Remediation Process in the Solidification/Stabilization Method

In the published literature, Stabilization/Solidification (S/S) method was excellent in remediating heavy metals, whereas bioremediation was excellent in remediating organic contaminants. However, tremendous papers only focus on specific contaminants, while the polluted environment is not due to specific contaminants. In this paper, both methods were combined and targeted to remediate both group contaminants, namely organic contaminants and heavy metals. The study focused on the effect of the bioaugmentation method on S/S method with the use of Portland cement as a binder in the S/S method. Sphingobacterium spiritivorum (bacteria) and Aspergillus brasiliensis (fungi) as degrading agents in the bioaugmentation method. The S/S matrices were tested for leaching behaviour which is the concentration of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and heavy metals after 14 and 28 days of hydration. Bacteria augmentation showed a better COD removal compared to without augmentation (S/S method only). Bacteria augmentation also shows better removal compared to fungi augmentation for both hydration days. In addition, by using the S/S method only, COD concentration was increased from 14 to 28 days. For heavy metals, chromium shows a positive result; bacteria augmentation shows the lowest concentration after 14 and 28 days of hydration. While other metals, S/S method only shows the lower concentration compared to samples that augment with bacteria and fungi. Nonetheless, the concentrations of heavy metals in all samples did not exceed the USEPA limit. Therefore, this study contributed to the possibility of combining the S/S and bioaugmentation methods by adding degrading agents to remediate contaminants in the sludge, especially for sludge that contains high organic contaminants

Water and environmental issues

Water is a precious and finite part of the environment which is vital for socioeconomic development, sustainability of the environment and survival. Malaysia is fortunate that it is located in a humid tropical area rich in rainfall and water resources. The rapid economic growth of Malaysia in the past decades is also mainly attributed to its ability to exploit abundant natural resources including water. The exploitation of water resources is an important catalyst of economic growth but continuous exploitation without proper management and conservation may cause the depletion of water supplies, rendering water resources unsustainable. In recent years, water problems have escalated in Malaysia due to climate change, urbanization and population explosion. Therefore, effective water conservation, efficient waste water and sewage management integrated with recent technologies are important for fostering the tandem development of economic growth and the sustainability of environmental resources

A Study of Outdoor Concentrations of Particulate Matter (PM2.5) on Different Floors of a University Building

Residents at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn (UTHM) buildings complained about dust from nine nearby factories. This study compared PM2.5 levels on different floors of a building to the New Malaysia Ambient Air Quality Guideline (NAAQG). Met One E-Sampler was used to measure PM2.5 and meteorological characteristics at different floor levels. Data was collected daily for 24 hours on each floor, except on public holidays, at two monitoring locations: FKAAB and FSKTM. This study analyzed PM2.5 on different floors and hours. On the ground level of FKAAB and the third floor of FSKTM, the average PM2.5 concentration was 29 µg/m3 and 31 µg/m3, respectively. The 2nd floor FKAAB reveals similar levels as the ground floor, 28 µg/m3. 2nd floor FKAAB was 3rd floor FSKTM. Both levels have the greatest PM2.5 concentration in UTHM air. PM2.5 concentrations were below the NAAQG (35 µg/m3). The greatest PM2.5 concentration was detected at 8:00 p.m. with 39 µg/m3 on the bottom level of FKAAB. The highest PM2.5 concentration on the third floor of FSKTM was 51 µg/m3 at 8:00 a.m. and 11 µg/m3 at 4:00 p.m. Human activity such as nearby industries, buildings, and heavy traffic altered the concentrations. In conclusion, more research is needed to determine which human activities contribute the most to UTHM air pollutants

Degradation of Phenanthrene in Liquid Culture and Sand Slurry by Corynebacterium urealyticum

Most studies on PAHs biodegradation evaluated the degradation potential of microorganisms under indigenous condition in either liquid or solid. There are limited studies on evaluation of the same microorganisms in degrading PAHs under non-indigenous condition in both liquid and solid media. This study investigated the potential of the bacterium, Corynebacterium urealyticum isolated from municipal sludge in degrading phenanthrene in both liquid and solid media. Batch experiments were conducted over 20 days. Batch reactors containing artificially contaminated phenanthrene minimal media and sand slurry were inoculated with bacterium culture. Percentage phenanthrene degradation in liquid culture and sand slurry were found to be 87% and 29%, respectively. Apart of having higher rate in liquid culture, the degradation activity by bacterium remain active throughout the experiment.  There were no significant differences on the degradation of phenanthrene at low and high initial phenanthrene concentrations in liquid cultures, which differed to the observation in sand slurry. From the viable count analysis, it was observed that this bacterium immediately adapted to the new environment. This study shows that Corynebacterium urealyticum show better capability in degrading phenanthrene in liquid culture compared to sand slurry. Keywords: Bioremediation, Corynebacterium urealyticum, liquid cultures, Phenanthrene, sand slurry

Food waste composting at school

Abstract Saving the earth and maintaining sustainability are some of the efforts and concept that’s becoming popular. The majority have started to reuse and recycle plastic containers, and aluminium cans to reduce environmental issues on earth. However, organic waste such as food waste, grass and leaves are included in the waste issue and contributed about 60% of it. Nevertheless, these organic wastes are totally recyclable, and that is where the composting concept takes place. This chapter describes on activities of food waste composting that can be implemented in school. This chapter also describes the outcome of the composting activities to students, teachers and other staffs in school, especially working in the canteen area